Fastening device for auto license tags or the like



GQ R. CRUZE Jan. 17, 1933.

v FASTENING DEVcE FOR AUTO L -ICENSE! TAGS OR THE LIKE Filed May l2, 1932 Z-Sheets-Sheet lllIlll/ll/l//Illll/Illllllll :31 1 @yl/llllllll/ll/l/lllllll/ll/l/H Jan. 17, 1933. G. R. cRUzE 1,894,552

FASTENING DEVICE FOR AUTO LICENSE TAGS THE LIKE Filed May l2, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 annu,

Patented Jan. 17, 1933 Unire stares GEORGE E. onnzE, E DANV'ILLE, PENNSYLVANIA 'EasTENING DEVICE non AUTO LICENSE TAGS on TEE LIKE Application `led May I2,

The present invention relates to fastening devices-for automobile license tags or the like and consists in the combinations and ar- N rangements of elements hereinafter described and particularly set. forth in the accompanying claims.

The invention has for its purpose to provide a novel form of fastening` device of this character which may be readily and quickly applied to or removed from position without the employment of tools, which will acvvcurately and firmly hold the license tag in position, and one that may be employed without any alterations whatsoever on either the tag or the car accessory.

The invention further contemplates providing a device of this character that may be continuously used on tags through succeed-l ing seasons, and which may be manufacturedA and sold in quantities at small cost thereby giving a substantial margin of profit to the merchant or salesman. f

The device may be used with equal facility on the front or rear of the car and is designed to fit the bumper bar, lightbar, the present license plate holder or in fact any miscellaneous part of the car. It is of utmost simplicity in construction, has the desired qualities of rigidity and flexibility, and is adapted for any size license plate and not subject to appreciable rusting.

r)The article as shown herein is proposed as a further utilization of that disclosure in i my co-pending application for U. S. Letters Patent, fastening device for sheet metal structures, Serial No. 590,721, filed Fel ruary 3, 1932.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a front view of the device fitted to the bumper bar of a car.

Figure 2 a rear elevational view of the same.

Figure 3 shows the device on the'license plate removed.

Figure la transverse sectional view of Figure 2 on the line 4 4 thereof.

Figure 5 a detailed perspective view of the hook member.

1932. Serial No. 610,958.

Figure 6 a detailed perspective view of the preferred form of fastener.r

Figure 7 shows the application of the device to the vusual license plate holder of a car. Figures 8 and'9 are detailed views, partlyin section, showing different' forms of the fastening device, and;

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are top plan views lof other forms of fastener.

, Referring to the construction in further detail and wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the different Figures shown 7 represents the ordinary license plate of an automobile, and 8 the 65 usual type'of bumper bar thereof, at the front or rear ofthe car, and to which the plate securing means is adapted to be fitted and securely held after the manner described herein. 70

The fastening device per se consists of two similar members or resilient clips 9- held in tension by the spring 10 and hook member 11 engaged respectively with theapertures Vadjacent the lower corners of the plate 7 and at '7'5 the medial upper edge portion thereof. Each of said clips has an enlarged and angular shank portion 12 apertured as at 13 to connect with the terminal ends of the spring 10. And said angular portions 12, acting under 30 the tension of said spring, exert a wedging or clamping action against the engaging portions 14 of said clips thereby causing the same to bind tightly against the surface of the license tag after the manner indicated' i-n 85 Figure l. The hoolr member 11 has a loop portion l5 through the medium of which it is connected to the central portion of the yspring 10, and said member has a hook p0rtion 16v through'the medium of which it is 90 adapted to be connected to the upper edge of the license plate 7.

In applied position the device is preferably litted to the license tag as shown in Figures 1 and 2 Vwherein the terminal portions 95 14 of the clips yfreely pass through apertures inthe tag, and the hook portion 16 lits over the upper medial edge thereof. In this relation the tension spring 10 firmly holds together the clips -9 and the hookmember l1 101) causing the ends' of clips 14 to bind against the surface of the tag and effect the desired clamping action for holding thedevice rigid and in applied position. o

In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2 it will be noted the device is applied to the tag and bumper bar at three points, i. e. adjacent the two (2) lower corners and at the medialtop edge. Tt is contemplated,

however, that the device may also be used without the hook member 11, i. e. by the two clip members 9 alonefunder the tension of spring 10'. This application of the device is illustrated in Figure 3,7and when so employed it is necessary only that the spring be tted over any convenient or accessible part of the car. n

' In the construction shown in Figure 7 the tag'is shown mounted on the usual license plate support 1'?, Y Thus in this instance the two clips engage within the slotted portions 18 of the tag support 1'? and the usual apertures of the tag, and the hook member 11 engages the tag only and holds said spring 1,()r

under the required tension.

Tn the construction shown in Figure 8 the clip member 9 has its shank portion Y19 bent substantially at right angles thereto and the terminal portion 1A is slightly Vcurved as shown. lvVith this arrangement the tension of spring 10 on the angular shank portions (9 and 19) causes the curved' terminal 1A of the clip to bind tightly against the tag 7 and clamp the same to the supporting device 1 inthe construction shown .inFigure 9 the clip is substantially the same as that in Figure 8 except that in. thisinstance ythe clip portion 2O is disposed at right angles to the shank portion 12. The curved terminal. part 21 functions similar to the corresponding partie of the clip in Figure 8.

In the constructions show-n in Figures 10, 11 and 12,the clip terminal portions .are modiiied tormeet possible conditions in designs of tags,'the apertures therein, and likewise the different tag supports on cars. Thus, in Figure 10 the terminal portion 23 is appreciably'widened laterally, and for insertion is turned at a right angle. ln Figure 11 the terminal 22 is of dovetail design andin Y Figure 12 vis elongated or extended.

" It4 is to be understood the invention is not limited to the precise details of construction tion ofthe tag, and a tensioning spring connecting said three hook members, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A device for holding an auto licensetag, comprising a pair of hook members adapted to engage the front and rear faces of portions of the tag distantly related and located below the upper edge of the tag, a tensioning spring connected at its ends to the hook members, and a third hook member connected tothe spring between the ends of the latter and adapted to engage over the upper medial edge of the tag. Y

3. A device for holding an auto license tag having distall openings near thelower edge thereof, comprising hook members each having an angular portion .and an engaging portion, said angular portions being adapted to contact with and extend from one sideofthe o tag and said engaging portions being adapted to pass through said openings .and overlie the opposite side of the tag, and a spring terminally connected to saidy angular portions and exerting tension thereon to constantly i opposite sideof the tag, a spring terminally connected to said angular portionsandexert-V ing tension thereony to constantly urgey said engaging portions in the direction of said op Y posite side of the tag, and a third .hook meniber engaging the spring between the ends of the latter and adapted to be litted over the' upper medial portion ofthe tag.

ln testimony whereof, l aiiix my signature. Y

Gnoeen R. 'VonUzn 

